Country Assistance Strategy (CAS)

Last updated March 2007

Background

The Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) is the most important World Bank country document. It is tailored to the needs and circumstances of each country and lays down the World Bank Group's development priorities, as well as the level and type of assistance the Bank will provide for a period of three years.

The CAS preparation is a participatory process. Before its adoption, key elements of the strategy are discussed with government representatives; and to ensure the widest possible involvement, public dialogues are also held, with Internet-based discussions taking place in many countries.

However, the CAS is not a negotiated document. Any differences between the country's own agenda and the Bank's strategy are highlighted in the CAS document. A progress report is issued in the intervening year.

Status of the CAS for the Republic of Congo

The Bank is preparing an Interim Strategy Note (ISN) which will cover FY07 – FY08 and will serve as a bridge—between the previous TSS (2003 – 2006) and the completion of the full PRSP—to allow the authorities to finalize the PRSP. The ISN builds on the 2003 TSS which focused on consolidating peace and economic recovery.

The ISN will focus on two priority areas: (i) scaling up the governance focus, especially with regard to oil sector governance and public financial management and (ii) creating the foundation for equitable growth through the implementation of poverty alleviation programs. Bank support will revolve around efforts to improve the mobilization and use of public resources and those that will provide urgently needed social services to the poor. These objectives are in-line with the I-PRSP priorities and are critical to meeting the Millennium Development Goals. The ISN is scheduled for Board discussions by June 2007.

For more information, please refer to the Transitional Support Strategy (2003) and Regional Support Strategy official documents.